Four years for violent kidnapping of ex-lover

A jealous man who kidnapped his ex-partner off the street and subjected her to a terrifying late-night ordeal has been locked up for four years. Zaid Ahmed attacked Kimberley Catlow with a steering lock and made repeated and chilling threats to kill her, Burnley Crown Court heard.

He also claimed he had killed a former girlfriend, before barricading the pair of them into his flat

The three-and-a-half hour nightmare ended when police arrived at his home on Lord Street, Oswaldtwistle.

The 40-year-old admitted kidnap, assault causing actual bodily harm and making threats to kill in May.

During sentencing he was also given a five year restraining order to keep him away from the victim as well as his jail term.

The hearing was told that by the time of the offences, the 22-year-old victim was in a new relationship. The defendant could not cope with that fact and, at 11.30pm, drove up to her as she walked along the street.

He then grabbed Miss Catlow and punched her before forcing her into his car.

Worried onlookers tried to intervene, but the defendant threatened to hit them with a steering lock and they backed off – however they did call the police.

Once in the car, Miss Catlow was repeatedly hit, and was struck twice with the lock as Ahmed threatened to kill her.

He also told his terrified victim that he had not decided yet if he was going to kill her or let her escape and then kill her later.

Zoe Nield, prosecuting, said Miss Catlow was extremely frightened as she didn’t know whether it was true Ahmed had killed someone before or not.

As he became more angry he began to throw items, including a birthday card for her sister out of the car, telling her she didn’t need it, as she would not live to see that day.

After stopping the car, the defendant grabbed her arm and took her into his home, locking all the doors behind him.

At 3am, officers knocked on the door and then had to force their way in as Ahmed had barricaded himself and the victim inside the property.

When they entered the officers found the victim had suffered multiple injuries.

The court heard Ahmed told the police he and Miss Catlow had been married under Islamic law and he regarded her as his wife.

The prosecutor said that since the incident, Miss Catlow had trouble sleeping, had lost weight and was concerned about any repercussions.

Miss Nield continued: "She has never been married to the defendant, either under Islamic or British law and doesn’t consider she has ever been his wife."

Simon Gurney, for Ahmed, said the probation service assessed him as being a low risk reoffender.

He added that aside from this incident, he has contributed to society and has always been employed."

During sentence Judge Andrew Woolman added that although the defendant recognised he had anger and stress management problems the incident could be regarded as an extreme example of this behaviour.